Education Fuels the Semiconductor Workforce Development Movement

Semiconductors are the brains behind so many devices and processes that we take for granted today, from computers, smartphones, cars, programmable coffee makers, and washing machines to high-tech robotics, augmented reality and virtual reality systems, satellites used in national defense, and more. Based on their widespread use in such a broad range of technologies, semiconductors are critical to life in modern industrialized societies — and this reality was further validated by the supply chain issues and shipping delays experienced during the pandemic.

Government Support for the Semiconductor Industry

To help strengthen the United States’ competitiveness and resilience in the semiconductor arena, the CHIPS (“Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors”) and Science Act, enacted in August 2022, earmarked nearly US$53 billion for domestic research and manufacturing. It also established a 25% tax credit for capital investments in semiconductor manufacturing. Europe soon followed suit with their own version of this initiative, The European Chips Act, in September 2023.

Since then, the U.S. government has already disbursed some US$29 billion in CHIPS Act funds to eight companies— Intel, Micron, Global Foundries, Polar Semiconductor, TSMC Arizona Corporation (a subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), Samsung, BAE Systems, and Microchip Technology— in an effort to reinvigorate semiconductor manufacturing domestically. This funding succeeded in catalyzing the establishment of a range of new manufacturing facilities, including Intel’s new factories in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and Ohio as well as Micron’s new US$100 billion chip plant in Syracuse, New York.

The European CHIPS Act has driven similar investment in Europe’s semiconductor industry in hopes of doubling the EU’s global market share from 10% to 20% by 2030. “The governments of nearly every major economy are pouring tens of billions of dollars into semiconductor industries every year,” confirmed Chris Miller of Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering, all in an effort to stake claim in a robust global semiconductor market that forecasting organization World Semiconductor Trade Statistics predicts will grow by over 13% to US$588 billion in 2024 and hit US$1 trillion in global revenue by 2030.

The problem? There aren’t currently enough semiconductor technicians and engineers to meet the demand created by the CHIPS Acts and other global initiatives. For example, the U.S. government expects there will be a need for 100,000+ semiconductor technicians and as many as 300,000+ engineering graduates by 2030 to support the growing industry.

Initiatives in Semiconductor Workforce Development Training

In response, companies and educational institutions alike are taking creating and resourceful approaches to filling the talent gap.

As broadcasted in a June 2024 PBS NewsHour segment, Intel Vice President of Talent Planning and Acquisition Cindi Harper confirmed that Arizona-based Intel has recently invested hundreds of millions of dollars into workforce development and that its new semiconductor plants will create 10,000 jobs at the company.

“We have high-paying jobs that are extremely interesting, [and] the manufacturing side of it isn’t what you would have seen 30 or 40 years ago,” agreed Greg Jackson, Director of Facility Operation at Phoenix, AZ-based Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, in the PBS NewsHour segment.

And a broad range of colleges, universities, and online educational platforms worldwide are further supporting the semiconductor workforce development movement by offering certificate programs in everything from semiconductor fabrication, devices, packaging, microelectronics, AI in semiconductor design (a strategy which is helping manufacturers enjoy greater efficiency and speed to market), and more.

Let IEEE Unlock the Door to Opportunity

Get started with specialized training, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Chip Design. Delve into the ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques are revolutionizing chip design methodologies. This training provides engineers with essential knowledge to leverage AI and ML effectively in chip design and electronic design automation (EDA). Learners will identify high-value applications and gain insight into optimizing design methods and preparing for the future of chip design.

Upon successful completion of the program, learners will earn an IEEE Certificate of Completion bearing professional development hours (PDHs) and continuing education units (CEUs). Get started today!

For institutional access, contact a Sales Specialist.